Brian Smith Named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week
10/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 10, 2005
Columbia, Mo. -
University of Missouri junior defensive end Brian Smith (Denton, Texas) has been named the SBC Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week, for his performance in Saturday's 38-31 win at Oklahoma State. The award was announced today by league officials.
Smith was a disruptive force all day against the Cowboy offense, as the rush end contributed with a career-high 11 tackles (film adjusted), including two quarterback sacks, four tackles for loss overall, one forced fumble, one QB hurry and one pass broken up.
Smith's forced fumble was a huge momentum play in the game, as he sacked OSU quarterback Bobby Reid with :34 seconds remaining in the first half, with teammate Lorenzo Williams pouncing on the ball at the Cowboy 30 yardline. On the next play, MU threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to put the Tigers up, 21-9 at halftime.
His sacks increased his career total to 19.5, and moved him into second-place on the MU career sacks list. He stands now only three shy of the school record of 22.5 set by former Tiger All-American defensive end Justin Smith (1998-2000).
Smith is the first Missouri defensive player to win the Big 12's weekly award since cornerback R.J. Jones won the award in 2002 for a three-interception performance in a win over Troy State.
